Selector binder



5. l. BERGER SELECTOR BINDER Nov. 20, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.12, 1945 Wm MW M W w W M g mm Mm m1 m m S. I. BERGER SELECTOR BINDERNov. 20, 1951 T5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 12, 1945 INVENTOR Samuel,Lfiergefi ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE23 Claims.

The present invention, while embodied in a telephone index of the looseleaf type, is of more general application to loose-leaf binder adaptedfor telephone index use, of simple, inexpensive and rugged construction,attractive appearance and complete eificacy for dependable instantopening to the selected sheet and which securely holds the sheets inposition but readily admits of removal and replacement of the sheetswithout danger of deranging the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the device in closed position,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the device in open position,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. '4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. l,

v unitary therewith the lateral bail le s 20. The

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line of Fig. 5, showingthe binder in open position,

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing the bail in open position,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the bail in open position,and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view on a larger scale showing the sheet holderin locked position with the sheets removed, the better to disclose thedetails.

Referring now to the drawings, the base of the telephone index is arectangular plate l2 preferably rounded at its forward corners andhaving a continuous downturned rim [3 along its forward and lateraledges, which imparts stiffness and security thereto as well as finishedand ornamental appearance. At the rear end of the base there are a pairof opposed upstanding ears l4 embraced by the lateral flanges l5 of aflanged cover l6. Pivot means extends through the cars and flanges tomount the cover in hinged relation.

bail is desirably of nearly the width of the base and the bail legs arepivotally mounted coaxially with the cover hinge, In a simple embodimentshown, a pivot pin 2| may extend transversely through the cover flangeI5 and the base ears [4, and through the bail legs 20, as shown.

Preferably the forward edge of the bail has upstanding fingers 22,equally spaced from each other and curved, as shown, into generally aU-shape, the ends of said fingers nearly abutting the upwardly curvedrear flange 23 on the base in locking position of the bail.

The ball l8-2ll is preferably latched in locked position'by means of alatch plate 24 and that plate is desirably hinged at its lower edge bymeans of a unitary lug 25 fitting in a corresponding slot in the base.The latch plate 24 is urged against one of the bail legs 20 by a coilspring 26 about the pivot pin 2|. The latch plate is also provided withan inturned horizontal lug 21 to the rear of the upstanding finger tab28 thereof. That lug arrests the forward unlocking movement of the sheetholding bail [8-20 by engagement therewith of a tooth 29 of the bail legin the plane of the latter.

Desirably the bail is provided at one of its fingers 22 with anupstanding tab 30 for manipulation, by which the bail can be movedforward about its pivot 2| upon release of the latch 24, thereby tofacilitate application and removal of perforated sheets. Preferably, thelatch 24 is provided with an inturned lug 3i forwardly of the finger tab28 which lug extends in the path of forward rocking movement of tooth 29on bail leg 20 and so defines the position of the bail when in positionfor removal or application of a stack of sheets or cards in whichposition, as best shown in Fig. 10, the free ends of fingers 22 extendupward. The stack of sheets 35 has perforations 35 through which fingers22 extend, and the perforation for the finger equipped with tab 30 iswidened to permit passage of the latter. Preferably also the rear flange23 of the base has upstanding curved fingers 33 thereon which intervenebetween the fingers 22 on the bail. Desirably the latch lug 3| isengaged by the lateral edges 34 of the stack of sheets 35 when in placeand assists in maintaining the latter in registry. Desirably the, sheetsare notched at 36 at their upper left hand corner for accommodatinglatch 24. Desirably also the base has an upstanding stud 31 fitting incorresponding notches 38 in the forward edges of the stack of sheets,further to assist in maintaining them in registry.

As thus far described, the device with or without the cover, is usefulas a loose leaf binder of more or less general application.

The invention is, however, shown in one specified application as atelephone index, for which purpose, and for like analogous purposes, thebase and cover are modified to attain speed and convenience of findingthe selected sheet.

To this end the cover is provided with an index near one edge thereof,comprising preferably a longitudinal slot 38 which accommodates theindex button 40 of plastic, if desired, which is provided withdepressions 4! in its under surface riding along embossed tracks orrunways 42111 the cover, laterally of the slot 39 and at opposite sidesthereof. A pointer or index 43 integral with the button rides along thesequence of letters or numbers 44 imprinted at one side of the innertrack 42. A sheet metal lifting hook 45 of U- shape has one leg 45extending transversely across the inner face of the cover it and islodged at its lateral edges in corresponding notches 41 near the innerends of fingers 48 protruding from the button 49 downward through slot39. A spring leaf 49 longitudinally of the slot 39 and transversely ofthe hook 45,, extends along the under surface of the cover l6 and has acentral longitudinal slot 58 straddling the lugs 48 .on the button 40, afastener stud through hook lug 46 aflixing the latter to the plasticbutton 49 and thereby confining the spring 49 in position. Preferablythe cover is transversely embossed .as at 52 at the various letters andnumerals, so .th at in moving the button along the slot 39., the spring49 will ratchet along the embossments and be also impositively retainedin position of adjustment.

The index sheets 35 are laterally cut away as at 53 below the hook 45,the A sheet having the shortest notch, the Z sheet the longest notch,and the intervening sheets having notches of graduated interveninglengths. The base plate 12 is preferably embossed slightly so as toprovide a raised platform 55, upon which the sheets 35 rest with theirnotched edges protruding, and to afford clearance at 55 laterally of theplatform below the entire stack of sheets, for the lifting end 54 of thelifting hook .45. Platform 55 also aids in stiffening the base.

As a further convenience, a cover latch 51 is provided for maintainingthe cover closed, and spring means is provided to automatically open itupon release of the latch. Desirably the cover latch comprises anL-shaped button of plastic pivoted about a pin 58 at the forward end ofthe base l2 beyond the raised platform 55 and urged to upper or latchingposition by a coil spring 59 about stud 60 which rises from near theforward edge of the base and is telescoped into a corresponding socket5-4 in the cover latch. Desirably also the cover I6 and flange areprovided with a notch 52 at the forward edge which accommodates thelatch 51, the nose 53 of the latter overlapping the cover in closedposition. The opening impulse may be produced by a coil spring 54 aboutthe hinge pin 2| beyond the bail at the side opposed to latch 24, saidspring having an inturned end 65 reacting against the base and theopposite extremity 65 reacting against the cover.

The upstanding stud 31 is desirably mounted on the forward end of thecover latch 51 and it extends as above described into corresponding Unotches 38 in the forward edges of the sheets of the stack.

The operation will be apparent but will be briefly summarized. To selectany sheet, the button 49 is shifted along slot 38 to the correspondingletter 44 and the cover latch 51 is depressed, whereupon the spring 64will urge the cover 16 to open position with the hook 45 lifting allsheets 35 above that of the selected letter and exposing the selectedsheet. The cover may be closed after use and the cover latch 5! willsnap thereover.

When it is desired to replace sheets, the button 40 is first moved tothe lowermost or forward extremity, and upon release of the cover latch.57, the entire stack is lifted with the cover l6. Thereupon the latch24 is shifted to the left by pushing against its finger tab 28. Fingerpiece 30 is then engaged to rock the sheet holding bail l820 forwarduntil its tongue 29 is arrested by the lug 3| as shown in Fig. 9, atwhich time the U-shaped fingers 22 will extend upward and the stack ofsheets or cards may readily be lifted from place and as readilyreplaced. Thereupon the sheet holding bail i829 is merely turnedbackward until the tongue 29 passes over the latch lug 27, therebylatching the sheet retaining bail in position. In that position the freeends of the U-shaped fingers 22 abut against the rear flange 23 of thebase, and the rear fingers 33 on said flange intervene between saidU-shaped fingers, so that the sheets are securely held against removal.

The sheets are also automatically registered in position in theinsertion thereof, by the engagement of the lug 3! on the latch 24 withthe left lateral edges 34 thereof and of the stud 3'! on the cover latch'51 with the notches 38 in the for- Ward edges of the sheets35.

The sheet binder feature of the invention may be utilized, it will beunderstood, with a narrow base strip along the hinge and without eitherthe base or the cover and may simply serve as the binder of the book, orif desired, it may be used with a base l2 but without a cover, butpreferably both base and cover are used as set forth.

It will be seen that the base is relatively fiat, so that desiredentries may be readily and comfortably made upon any sheet thereonwithout interference from an upstanding flange.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base, a cover hinged thereto, abail extending the width of said binder, said bail havin a multiplicityof fingers unitary therewith and extending transversely therefrom andadapted to extend through corresponding holes in the sheets to be bound,and spring pressed latch means pivoted to the base at one end thereofand having an inturned lug abutting an edge of the bail in sheet lockingposition.

2. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having upstanding ears nearthe rear thereof, a cover havin a flange straddling said ears, and ahinge pin through said ears and fiange hinging the cover to the base, asheet holding bail hinged on said pin and extending the width of saidbase, said bail having fingers unitary therewith extending forwardthrough perforations in the sheets to be bound, a releasable latch onsaid base for retaining said bail in sheet locking position,

said bail having means'to facilitate moving the latter about thepivotpin upon release of the latch'for conveniently removing the sheets.

3. The combination recited in claim2 in which the bail is of sheetmetaland the ends of the fin- -across the width of said cover andextending through said ears, a sheet metal holder for perforated sheetsto be held, said holder being pivoted on said hinge pin and comprising across bar extending the width of said binder, a latch 'plate pivoted tosaid base, and having a flange holder can be swung about the hinge pinupon release of the latch, thereby to displace the fingers for the freeends thereof to extend upwardly for facility in'removal of theperforated sheets from the binder.

5. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having ears protrudingupwardly from the rear end thereof, a cover having lateral flangesstraddling said ears, and pivot means through said ears and flanges forhinging the coverto the base, a sheet metal holder for perforatedsheets, comprising j a bail extending substantially the width of saidcover and pivoted about said pivot means, said bail having fingersunitary therewith extending at right angles to said bail, said fingersbeing curved about the bail for their free ends to coact with'said base,means on said base latching said I bail in sheet locking position, andmeans limiting the rocking displacement of said bail upon release of thelatch to dispose the outer parts of said fingers in upright position forfacility in removal and replacement of the sheets.

6. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having lateral upstanding earsnear therear thereof, a cover having lateralflanges, a hinge pin extending transversely throughsaid ears and said flanges, a sheet holdercomprising a unitary sheet metal blank in the form of a bail pivoted onsaid hinge pin, having fingers unitary therewith protrudin from theforward edge thereof, over which perforated sheets are to be mounted,said flngershaving their roots at right angle to said bail and beingcurved obliquely thereabout' substantially to abut the base in closedposition, and a releasable latch on the base for maintaining the baillocked in closed position, said bail having means to facilitate rockingthe same about the pin upon release of the latch, and means in the pathof said bail to limit the rocking displace ment thereof for disposingthe outer parts of the fingers to extend substantially upward forfacility in removing and replacing sheets.

7. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having lateral ears, and anupstanding rear flange, a cover having lateral flanges, a transversehinge pin through the ears and the flange, a sheet holder, including aunitary blank of sheet metal in the form of a bail pivoted upon saidhinge pin, said bail having a plurality of sheet metal fingers extendingat right angles thereto, latch means pivoted to said base near one sidethereof and including a ledge overlapping theedge of the bail andlocking the same to the base, with the ends 6 of the fingerssubstantially flange of the base.

8. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a sheet holding bail having fingersto extend through corresponding perforations in the stack to be bound, alatch coacting with said bail to lock the same in closed position, saidlatch having stop means to coact with the bail to'define the openposition thereof for introduction or replacement of sheets, said bailhaving a stop shoulder engaging an inturned lug on the latch in lockedposition and engaging the rear engaging another inturned lug on thelatch in open position of the bail.

9. A loose-leaf binder, comprising hinged enclosure plates, a sheetholder comprising a bail having legs, said bail being afiixed to one ofsaid enclosure plates, said bail havin fingers over which theperforations of the sheets are mounted, a latch piece hinged to one ofsaid plates and spring urged against one 'of the bail legs, said latchpiece having inturned lugs at right angles to each other, said bail leghaving a stop shoulder arrested by one of said lugs in sheet lockingposition and limited by the other lug in open position.

10. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base, a sheet mounting bail havinglegs pivoted with respect to the rear end of saidba-se, a sheet metallatch having a pivoting lug in said base, a spring urging said latchagainst one of said legs, said latch having an inturned lug and saidbail leg having a tooth in the plane thereof arrested by said lug inlocked position, said latch having a second inturned lug limiting therotary displacement of said bail about the pivot to open position.

11. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base, a sheet mounting bailpivoted to said base near the rear edge thereof, said bail having spacedfingers extending from the forward edge thereof in a U-curve'andaccommodating sheets at the perforations thereof, the rear of said basehaving upstanding curved fingers intervening between the fingers of saidbail in closed position of the latter, releasable latch means forretaining the bail in said closed position, and means on said bail forrocking the latter to open the same to sheet release position uponrelease of the latch.

"12. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a relatively flat base, upstandingears near the rear thereof, a flanged cover embracing said ears, atransverse 'pin through said cover and said cars, a sheet holder 'ofsheet metal comprising a bail having fingers protruding from the forwardedge thereof and extending rearward in a generally 'U-curve in spacedrelation for accommodating sheets to be bound, and a spring pressedreleasable latch 'coacting with one end of the bail and retaining on-said cover having a lifting hook coacting 'with a stack of sheets forselectively lifting the upper partof the stack upon opening of thecover, and leaving unaffected the lower part of the stack.

14. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a relatively fiat base,'upstandingears near the rear thereof,

a cover having a'flange embracing said ears, a transverse pin throughsaid flange and said ears, a sheet holderof sheet metal comprising abail v having legs, fingers protruding from the forward edge of saidbail and extending rearward in a generally U-curve in spaced relationfor accommodating sheets, a spring pressed releasable latch boactingwith one end of the bail and retaining the latter in locked position,one of the fingers on the bail having a finger piece for facility inturning the bail to paper release position upon disconnecting the latch,said latch having a stop coacting with the bail leg to limit the openingmovement thereof.

15. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having a platform forsupporting perforated sheets, a paper retainer at the rear of said basecomprising a bail having legs pivoted to said base for horizontalpivotal movement thereabout, said bail having spaced curved fingers formounting sheets at the perforations thereof, a latch plate pivoted tosaid base and having a stop coacting with one of the legs of the bailfor locking the same in sheet retaining position, said latch having aninturned lug coacting with lateral edges of the mounted sheets to helpposition the same.

16. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a flat base having asheet-supporting platform, a sheet holder at the rear of said basecomprising a bail having legs pivoted to said base for horizontalpivotal movement thereabout, said bail having spaced curved fingers formounting sheets at the perforations thereof, a latch plate pivoted tosaid.

base and having a stop coacting with one of the legs of the bail forlocking the same in sheet retaining position, said latch having aninturned lug for coaction with lateral edges of the sheets to helpposition the same, and an upstanding stud near the forward edge of saidbase for coaction with corresponding notches in the stack of sheets forfurther aid in positioning the same.

17. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base having upstanding ears nearthe rear thereof, a sheet holding bail with legs pivoted with respect tosaid ears, and fingers upstanding from the forward edge of said bail fora stack of perforated sheets, a latch pivoted to said base having a lugcoacting with one of the bail legs for latching the bail in sheetretaining position, the rear edge of said base having upstanding curvedfingers intervening between those of the bail,

18. A loose-leaf binder, comprising a base plate, a flanged cover hingedto the rear of said base plate, a sheet retaining bail having legs nearthe lateral edges of said base and hinged coa-xially with said cover,said bail having upstanding U-shaped fingers and a latch pivoted to saidbase having an inturned lug coa'cting with one of said legs for latchingthe bail in sheet retaining position.

19. The combination recited in claim 18, in which the rear edge of thebase has upstanding curved fingers intervening between those on the bailand the base has an upstanding stud to be straddled by correspondingnotches in the forward edges of the sheets.

20. The combination recited in claim 18, in which the latch has aninturned finger rising from the base for coaction with the correspondinglateral edge of the stack of sheets to assist in positioning the latter.

21. A loose-leaf index, comprising a base having a platform risingslightly therefrom, ears rising from near the rear edge thereof, aflanged cover pivoted to said ears, an index button slidable along saidcover and having a hook depending therefrom, said hook extending inclosed position of the device laterally of said platform and 8 above thelateral edge of said base, said platform terminating short of theforward edge of said base and cover, a cover latch pivoted to said basenear the-forward edge thereof, said cover having a notch in theforwardedge thereof to accommodate said latch, said latch having anupstanding stud on the'inner part thereof for accommodation in acorresponding notch in the sheets to be carried by the binder.

22. An article of the character described, comprising a relatively fiatbase having upstanding ears near the rear thereof, a flanged cover, atransverse pivot pin through said ears and opposite flanges of the coverand pivoting the latter to the base, a sheet holder comprising a bailhaving legs pivoted on said pin and curved fingers extending forwardtherefrom through corresponding apertures in the stack of sheets, alatch plate having a pivoting tongue through said base. a coil springabout said pivot pin urging said latch to closed position against an endof the bail, said latch having an inturned latch-ing lug and said bailhaving a tooth engaged by said lug to lock the hail, the base having anupstanding rear flange engaged by the ends of said tongues to limit themovement of said bail beyond locking position, said latch having anotherlug engaged by the tongue on said bail to limit the opening movement ofthe latter.

23. An article of the character described, comprising a relatively flatbase having upstanding ears near the rear thereof, a flanged cover, atransverse pivot pin through said ears and opposite flanges of the coverand pivoting the latter to the base, a sheet holder comprising a bailhaving legs pivoted on said pin and curved fingers extending forwardtherefrom through corresponding apertures in the stack of sheets, alatch plate having a pivoting tongue through said base, a coil springabout said pivot pin urging said latch to closed position against an endof the bail, said latch having an inturned latching lug and said bailhaving a tooth engaged by said lug to lock the hail, the base having anupstanding rear flange engaged by the ends of said tongues to limit themovement of the bail beyond locking position, said latch having anotherlug engaged by the tooth on said bail to define the open position of thelatter, said latch having an operating finger protruding therefrom forreleasing the latter, said bail having a finger piece to facilitatemoving the latter to and from sheet locking position, and saidbasehaving upstanding curved fingers beyond the rear flange thereof,intervening between the fingers on the bail.

BERGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number A Name Date 820,069 Sheridan et a1. May 8,1906 1,102,869 Carmer et al. July 7, 1914 1,964,252 Dawson June 26, 19342,115,537 Peter Apr. 26, 1938 2,141,761 Pollock Dec. 27, 1938 2,229,847Gu'dis Jan. 28, 1941 2,341,983 Faas r Feb. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 828,895 France r Mar. 7, 1938

